Michael wagner



' (No Model.)

M. WAGNER.

THILL COUPLING. No. 337,463. Patented Mar. 9, 1886.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL WAGNER, OF BELLEVILLE, ILLINOISiASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALF TO CURT HEINFELDEN, OF SAME PLACE.

THlLL-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 337,463, dated March 9, 1886.

Application filed June 15,1885. Serial No. 168,783. (No model.)

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, MICHAEL VVAGNER, of Belleville, Illinois, have made a new and use ful Improvement in Thill-Couplings, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The improvement relates to that class of thill-couplings which have an antirattling attachment-such as a springinserted in the axle-clip in the rear of the thill-iron.

It consists in the peculiar construction of the spring and its combination with the other parts of the device, substantially as is hereinafter set forth.

The annexed drawings, making part of this specification, illustrate the improvement.

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the spring. Fig. 2 is a plan ofa thill-coupling having the improvement; and Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the thill-coupling. Fig. 4 isa like view, the thill-iron being in position to relieve the spring of pressure.

The same letters of reference denote the same parts.

A represents the axle. B represents the axle-clip. 0 represents the thill-iron; and D represents the spring, which is inserted in the opening b in the clip in the rear of the thill- 1ron.

The axle and the axle-clip are constructed in the customary manner. The thill-iron is preferably provided with or is extended to form the cam-shaped projection c. The principal feature of the spring is extending it upward and downward through the clip to form a double spring, in whose front is a re-entering curve, against which the thill-iron bears. The

spring is formed from a metallic strip. bent into the form shown more distinctly in Fig. 1, the ends d d of the strip lapping upon each other and being extended upward and downward in a straight direction, while the front of the'spring consists of the two similar bows, d d, and the intermediate re-entering curve, d

Fig. 3 illustrates the position of the spring in use. By reason of its being narrower at its central part the spring is upheld in the clip.

The spring is most compressed when the thilliron is in position for use, and when the thillsare turned either downward or upward one 5c of the sides, 0, of the projection c of the thilliron bears against the spring, and the spring in a measure is relieved.

I am aware that a rubber cushion has heretofore been used with a thill-iron having an 5 eccentric portion, and I do not claim the combination of such a thill-iron with a spring, broadly, but the clinging nature of the rubber renders the cushion liable to be forced out of its seat by the upward-crowding action of the eccentric projection upon the thill-iron. Such action of the eccentric is also apt to abrade and crack the surface of a rubber cushion.

It is my object to present to the eccentric a smooth and hard metallic surface; and I am 6 v not aware that a thill-iron having a projection such as I employ has heretofore been used with a metallic spring shaped and held in the clip as shown.

I do not claim, broadly, a metallic spring of the shape shown; but I am not aware that such a spring having its ends free and unconnected with each other, to admit of a more elastic and efficient action of the same, has been heretofore used with a thill-iron.

I claim- 1. In a thill-coupl-ing, the combination of the axle-clips, the thill-iron having the portion 0 eccentric to its eye, and the flat metallic spring D, having the bends d d d and adapted to present a hard and smooth surface to the said portion 0, substantially as set forth.

2. In a thill-coupling, the combination of the axle-clip, the thill-iron having the portion 0 eccentric to its eye, and the flat metallic spring D, having the bends d d d", and having its ends bent around parallel and in contact with but separate and free to move relatively to each other, substantially as set forth.

MICHAEL WAGNER.

Witnesses MAX GRONEFELD, OSWALD HOPPE. 

